St. Michael man going on trial in death of 2 children

Nearly two years ago the deaths of two children from St. Michael shook the Spirit Lake Nation and all of North Dakota.

Nearly two years ago the deaths of two children from St. Michael shook the Spirit Lake Nation and all of North Dakota.

On May 21, 2011 the lifeless bodies of 9-year-old Destiny Shaw and her 6-year-old brother Travis DuBois, Jr., were found by their mother Mena Shaw.

Today according to a story released by the Associated Press, a North Dakota man accused of killing two children on the Spirit Lake Nation is going on trial in federal court.

Valentino "Tino" Bagola's trial starts Tuesday in Fargo.

Bagola is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the death of 9-year-old Destiny Shaw and her 6-year-old brother, Travis DuBois Jr. Their bodies allegedly were discovered beneath a mattress at the home the childrens’ mother had once shared with their father.

Bagola is accused of killing Destiny between May 18 and 21 “while perpetrating or attempting to perpetrate the crimes of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse and child abuse.”

Bagola is accused of killing Travis “while perpetrating or attempting to perpetrate the crime of child abuse.”

Bagola has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he would face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Federal public defenders are in charge of Bagola’s defence.The father, Travis DuBois Sr., pleaded guilty to public intoxication and reckless endangerment, but he was never charged in the children's deaths. He and Mena Shaw are listed as witnesses against Bagola.

It is estimated that the trial, which begins today with jury selection, will take approximately two to three weeks.